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Birth and Death
Ernst Mach was born in the Czech Republic on February 18, 1838 and died after a long, successful career as a physicist and philosopher in Harr Germany on February 19, 1916. -
Early Education
After spending most of his academic career homeschooled and only 3 years in high school (14 to about 17), Mach attended the University of Vienna at the age of 17 where he jumpstarted his education in physics. -
Discovery of Mach Bands
The discovery of Mach Bands in the 1860's was revolutionary for the study of physics. Ernst Mach discovered that there was a way to differentiate between light and dark bands at an objects edge based on the light it was in. This would be just the beginning of his now famous discoveries. -
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Early Career
Ernst Mach obtained his Doctorate of Physics and Math from the University of Vienna in 1860 and began teaching at the University of Graz in 1864. -
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Teaching and Learning in Prague
After leaving the University of Graz, Mach made his was to the University of Prague where he simultaneously began teaching experimental physics and studying Kinesthetic Sensation. This is the relationship between movement and speed which would also become a basis for the Theory of Relativity. -
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Schlieren Method
Between 1873 and 1893, Mach discovered ways to measure sound waves through photographic documentation called the Schlieren Method. (Discovered in 1864 by August Toepler with the intention of aid to documenting supersonic speed). -
The Mach Number
In 1887, Ernst Mach discovered what is now termed as the Mach Number. This equation marries the ratio of the speed of an object to the speed of sound to capture the principles of supersonic speed, -
Beitrage Zur Analyse Der Empfingungen
Contributions of the Analysis of the Sensations produced and translated from 1886-1897. Ernst Mach published this work to prove his own theory of relativity. He used it to also prove that science could not be just that without a verifiable source. His publication ended up setting the foundation for Einstein's most famous Theory of Relativity. -
